Town tries to keep bingo but avoid slot machines Continued from page 1 7 · Wednesday, April 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com ties without asking, we have chosen to do things differently by listening and respecting the community and will continue to do so." The conditions being sought include a Town demand for a say in what gaming products are allowed in Oakville's only bingo hall, Delta Bingo, at 483 Speers Rd. Councillors have said the existing language of the arrangement could allow the introduction of slot machines and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) without the municipality's input. Changing exit clauses, which currently bind the Town to a 16-year contract while OLG has a 90-day exit clause, was another condition. Dealing with issues surrounding cost-recovery and appropriate reciprocity were other conditions cited by the Town. The cost-recovery issues include forecasts by the OLG showing that, under the O R T H O T I C S , agreement, the Town will receive less money despite an overall increase in revenue to Oakville Delta Bingo. The reciprocity issues included a liability clause that the Town would assume full operational liability for Oakville Delta Bingo. Interest in the outcome of the vote was considerable, particularly because Oakville Delta Bingo owner, Cam Johnstone, has repeatedly stated that he would have to close the bingo hall if the agreement was rejected. Johnstone said the OLG agreement is needed to modernize and revitalize his business and thereby revive dwindling attendance there. Such a closure would have a considerable impact on the 34 charities licensed to conduct events at the Delta Bingo facility. With this possibility in mind, more than 100 representatives from these charities attended the Monday meeting to show support for the agreement. Many wore shirts that & read, Delta Bingo Supports Me. Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll discussed council's decision to see council's concerns addressed before signing the OLG agreement. "I don't think anybody around this table is against bingo or e-Bingo or the modernization of the bingo hall or the preservation of the social gaming activity of bingo. We all recognize the valuable contribution that bingo fundraising makes to the Oakville way of life and we are not trying to challenge that," said Knoll. "We are simply trying to get to a point where we are comfortable with the agreement with the Province, in terms of going forward. I personally believe we are going to get there... We need to hold on a little bit longer. "We need to get this thing right because if we don't get it right, we are going to have to pick up the pieces later on in terms of gaming that we don't want in this commuC A R E nity." Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff agreed with the need for caution before signing the agreement, but voiced concerns the Town was setting itself up for failure by asking the OLG to change more aspects of the arrangement than it is willing to. Damoff said the OLG's stance that it would not negotiate with the municipality concerning the content of the agreement appeared to soften during last week's Administrative Services Committee meeting, but only on the issue of product control. "Protecting the Town's requirement of product control is something every single person in this room is in agreement upon. I think See Town page 9 TKR1842 TKR1842 F O O T W E A R P E D O R T H I C Experience the comfort. Feel the difference. ALLEVIATE FOOT, KNEE & LOWER LIMB PAIN Where Great Futures Begin Enriched Academic Education Preschool (2.8 years of age) to Grade 8 Gle~burnie Scªool OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 21st 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Custom made orthotics using state-of-the-art & traditional procedures. Biomechanical & gait analysis by Canadian Certified Pedorthists. Fashionable, orthopaedic-quality & therapeutic footwear. Full line of ankle and knee braces, compression socks and stockings. Covered under major insurance plans. Proud members of The College of Pedorthic of Canada. THIS WEEK'S FEATURED PRODUCTS BY DY 45744 - Happy ND 5010 - Griso ND 2838 - Azalea · Grade 7/8 High School Preparation · Enriched quality educational programming · Exceptional Music, Fine Arts, Drama Classes · Strong focus on organizational and skill development in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science & Technology · Full school facilities · Tours and entrance testing by appointment SUMMER CAMPS AT GLENBURNIE Academic & Vacation Camps: July 3 - 27 Custom Orthotics Compression Hose and introducing: icampTM: June 18 - August 17 Camp Millionaire: July 3 - August 17 Programs designed for children ages 4 to 13 Extended hour supervision available Braces Footwear 2427 Trafalgar Road, Unit A6, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 (Located in the Winners and Homesense Plaza, just south of Dundas) 905-339-3678 | www.bioped.com | email: oakville@bioped.com 2035 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville (Ford Drive / Q.E.W.) (905) 338-6236 www.glenburnieschool.com